What is minister? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of minister in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of minister

ministernoun

bộ trưởng

/ˈmɪnɪstə/

Definition & pronunciation of <strong>minister</strong>

Where does the word minister come from?

The word "minister" originated in the 13th century from the Latin "ministrare," meaning "to serve." Initially, it referred to a servant or attendant who performed various tasks for someone else. Over time, the term evolved to describe a high-ranking official or priest responsible for serving the ruler or church. In the 15th century, the term began to be used to describe a government official, particularly one who administered a state or country. This sense of the word was influenced by the French "ministre," which was used to describe a chief officer or advisor. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the term "minister" also came to be used to describe a member of a religious order, such as a clergyman or priest. Today, the word "minister" has a variety of meanings, including a government official, a religious leader, or a servant who performs a variety of tasks.

Vocabulary summary minister

typenoun

meaningminister

exampleto minister to the wants os a sick man

meaning(diplomacy) ambassador

exampleminister plenipotentiary

meaningexecutor, assistant, lackey

typeverb

meaning(: to) help; take care of

exampleto minister to the wants os a sick man

meaning(religion) to be a pastor

exampleminister plenipotentiary

meaning(archaic, archaic meaning) provide, grant

Example of vocabulary ministernamespace

meaning

a senior member of the government who is in charge of a government department or a branch of one

  • the Minister of Education
  • She became minister of education in 2016.
  • A new minister of defence had been appointed.
  • a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers
  • senior ministers in the Cabinet
meaning

a trained religious leader in some Christian churches

  • a Methodist minister
  • He was ordained minister of a small rural congregation.
meaning

a person, lower in rank than an ambassador, whose job is to represent their government in a foreign country


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